CANFIELD Trustees act on waterline project pact

One trustee dissented because her lawyer had not reviewed the resolutions. By IAN HILL VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER CANFIELD -- The township trustees passed one resolution and rescinded another as part of an agreement reached in court last week concerning a waterline project. The resolutions deal with the $250,000 plan to build a waterline on Gibson Road. On Tuesday night, trustees Paul Moracco and William Weaver voted to rescind a resolution that would have required Gibson Road residents to repay the township for the project over 20 years. They then voted to pass a resolution requiring the residents to repay the township for the project over six years. Trustee Judy Bayus dissented in both votes. The trustees were required to take action on the resolutions as part of an agreement reached May 21 during a hearing in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The hearing was for an affidavit filed by Bayus in a lawsuit against her colleagues. Suing trustees: A group of local residents called Citizens Wanting Only Responsible Development (WORD) is suing the trustees in an effort to stop the construction of the waterline. Bayus' affidavit says that the original vote on the waterline project required Gibson Road residents to repay the township over six years. Visiting Judge Mary Cacciopo set aside the affidavit after attorneys for Bayus, the township and Citizens WORD came to the agreement about the resolutions. When asked why she cast the dissenting votes, Bayus said the resolutions had not been reviewed by her attorney. She did not comment further on the matter. The attorney for Citizens WORD has until Monday to file his final briefs in the lawsuit. The township attorney will then have 10 days to respond. Judge Cacciopo's decision in the lawsuit is expected soon after the township attorney files his final response. hill@vindy.com